Referendum Updates

Elmhurst Board of Park Commissioners and Park District staff marked the kickoff of two referendum projects on October 17, celebrating with groundbreakings at the Prairie Path and Crestview Park, where park visitors can soon look forward to permanent heated restrooms. Both restroom buildings were made possible by the successful passage of the November 2024 Referendum.

With the new Wagner Community Center on track to open in Fall 2027, Park District staff are taking steps to ensure a smooth launch to managing what will be the District’s largest community facility

Trail users can look forward to a new permanent heated restroom along the Prairie Path coming soon. This week, construction fencing went up along the Prairie Path near the gazebo at Spring Road, where the new building will be located.

Elmhurst Park District is breaking ground on the Prairie Path and Crestview Park restroom buildings on Saturday, October 17. Both projects are part of the Elmhurst Park District Referendum, which passed in November 2024. These buildings will give park users access to safe, clean restrooms year-round. The community is invited to join us to celebrate these milestones.

Take a look back - the Park District's 2025 Annual Report is now available.

The Elmhurst Park District is making substantial progress on the six remaining referendum projects and looks forward to maintaining momentum as the year continues. The projects, approved by a November 2024 referendum, are designed to meet growing community needs and enhance recreational opportunities for residents of all ages.

Join Elmhurst Park District in Eldridge Park on Saturday, April 11 at 10 am for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the Park District’s first referendum project to break ground – a permanent heated restroom building at Eldridge Park.

On Monday, February 9, the Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners approved the Wilder Park South Master Plan, which will guide planning for the park’s future.

At its January 26, 2026 Board Meeting, the Park Board approved placement of a new heated restroom building along the Prairie Path near the gazebo at Spring Road. Construction on the project is expected to begin this summer and wrap up by the end of the year.

The Elmhurst Park District invites the community to the Wilder Park South Master Plan Informational Open House. View the final master plan to learn more about the vision for the south end of Wilder Park.

In November 2024, voters approved an Elmhurst Park District referendum to fund a series of park improvements designed to serve the community for generations to come.

The Elmhurst Park District’s voter-approved referendum in November 2024 launched a major investment in the future of parks and recreation in Elmhurst. Throughout 2025, the District advanced the six referendum projects designed to meet growing community needs and provide enhanced amenities for all ages. These include a new Wagner Community Center, four permanent heated restroom buildings, conversion of a grass field in Berens Park to artificial turf, and a new community bandshell in Wilder Park.

Together, these investments will shape the future of recreation and community gathering for decades to come.

With construction of the new Wagner Community Center getting underway, please be aware of detour signs for walking paths in and around Berens Park.

Join Elmhurst Park District for this special milestone as we break ground on the new Wagner Community Center!

Update: This survey is now closed.

Join us for the next step in shaping the future of Wilder Park! The Elmhurst Park District invites the community to an open house to review two concept plans for the Wilder Park South Master Plan. These new concepts were developed based on feedback from the first open house held in July, results from a community survey, and input from the Park Board.

The public is invited to the upcoming State of the Park District Address on Monday, November 17 at 6 pm via Zoom.

Presented by Park Board President, Kevin Graf and Executive Director, Jim Rogers, the address will allow the public to learn about District projects, accomplishments and future plans.

Those interested in attending the Zoom event, please email marketingepd.org (marketing[at]epd[dot]org) for a link to the session.

Construction on the Eldridge Park Heated Restroom Building is moving along. Landscape restoration has been completed in areas where underground utilities were installed.

Things are really coming together at 185 Industrial, which will serve as the temporary home of dance and gymnastics programs while Wagner Community Center is under construction.

Dance lights are installed, ballet bars and mirrors are also in, HVAC system started up and all furniture and gymnastics equipment is moved into the building.

So many memories - so much more to come! The last day of programs was October 19 at Wagner Community Center. Since then, staff and moving crews have begun emptying the building of furniture and equipment to make way for construction fencing, which will go up in November.

The facility's final day of operation was Sunday, October 19. It closed for construction on Monday, October 20.

Progress continues at 185 Industrial Drive, which will serve as the temporary home of dance and gymnastics programs while Wagner Community Center is under construction.

You voted yes! Now help choose where the Permanent Heated Restroom will be constructed on the Prairie Path. Stop by the upcoming Open House to provide your feedback.

A rainy morning didn’t dampen the mood of those gathered at Eldridge Park last weekend.

Exciting progress is underway as the Elmhurst Park District prepares for the construction of a new, modern Wagner Community Center.

Elmhurst Park District is breaking ground on the Eldridge Park Restroom Building.

Come provide your input about Wilder Park's next chapter, as we look to honor its legacy while planning for the future. 

At their June 9 Park Board meeting, the Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners approved the exterior elevations for the new Wagner Community Center, taking another big step forward in the realization of one of the District’s most significant redevelopment projects.

At its regular Board Meeting on Monday, June 9, the Elmhurst Park Board approved the Crestview Park Master Plan, marking a significant milestone in the park’s redevelopment.

Design development for the new Wagner Community Center is moving along at the Park District, but another key component of the project is also taking shape - where programs will move while construction takes place.

This survey is now closed

The Board of Park Commissioners reviewed and approved the schematic design for the new Wagner Community Center at their Monday, April 14 Park Board meeting.

Since the passage of the Park District referendum in November 2024, staff has focused on design development and planning for the approved referendum projects. These projects include a new Wagner Community Center, a community bandshell with permanent heated restroom in Wilder Park, permanent heated restrooms in Eldridge and Crestview Park and along the Prairie Path and the converting of a grass field to artificial turf at Berens Park.

Community engagement and education has been a foundational piece of the Park District’s referendum process. Continuing this approach, Elmhurst residents are invited to keep up-to-date on referendum project progress by visiting epd.org/referendum.

What’s in store for the future of Crestview Park? That is what Park District staff are working to define as plans are made to enhance the north side park and its amenities beginning in 2026.  A Master Plan Open House at Crestview Park’s Recreation Building (245 E Crestview Ave) will give the neighborhood an opportunity to express their vision for the park and its future. The Open House is planned for Thursday, March 20, 5:30-7:30 pm.

With the Crestview Park playground set for replacement in 2026, we’re planning now for even more potential improvements in the future! Help us shape the future of your neighborhood park.

In an effort to enhance the community’s park amenities and space, the Elmhurst Board of Park Commissioners approved several planning projects during their Monday, January 13, 2025 meeting. 

Ask questions and learn about District projects, accomplishments and future plans at the upcoming State of the Park District Address at 6 pm on Thursday, November 14 on Zoom.

As of November 5, 2024, unofficial results indicate that a majority of Elmhurst Park District voters answered “yes” to the bond referendum request to raise revenue to improve, equip and maintain parks and facilities throughout the District, including replacing the Wagner Community Center; building a community bandshell at Wilder Park; adding permanent, heated restrooms at three parks and along the Prairie Path; and converting a grass field to artificial turf at Berens Park.

On October 30, Executive Director Jim Rogers and Park Board Vice President Claire Kubiesa hosted a Live Q&A about the referendum.

On the November 5, 2024 ballot, the Park District is giving residents the choice to fund high-priority projects identified by the community through a referendum. 

Learn more about the referendum at a Live Q&A presented by Park Board Vice President Claire Kubiesa and Executive Director Jim Rogers. The Live Q&A will take place on Wednesday, October 30 at 6pm on Zoom. Those interested in attending, please email marketingepd.org (marketing[at]epd[dot]org) for a link to the session.

On September 25, Executive Director Jim Rogers and Park Board President Kevin Graf hosted a Live Q&A about the referendum.

On the November 5 ballot, Elmhurst Park District is giving residents the choice to fund high-priority projects identified by the community through a referendum.

Interested in learning more about the Elmhurst Park District referendum?

Interested in learning more about the Elmhurst Park District referendum? On the November 5 ballot, Elmhurst Park District is giving residents the choice to fund high-priority projects identified by the community through a referendum. Several upcoming Open Houses at the Park District’s Wagner Community Center will allow residents to view the proposed projects and renderings, ask questions and take a tour of Wagner Community Center, which would be replaced if the referendum was approved.

To ensure residents receive accurate and timely information, the Park District is providing several resources, including tax impact details and FAQs, which can be found at epd.org/referendum.